Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will deliver a rare speech on Sunday about the uprising against his rule, which has killed 60,000 people and brought civil war to the edge of his capital. Related Posts: UN to discuss Syria Ban Syria rebels Syria has chemical, biological weapons New PM SYRIAN UNREST

BEIRUT – Syrian rebels clashed with forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad near Damascus airport on Tuesday, battling for the capital's outskirts after 20 months of conflict which the United Nations said has driven half a million people from the country.

Hell came to Syria months ago. But, this week, something seems different: It feels worse. And that makes one resident feel better. "The worse it gets now, the more we know the rebels will win," she said. "We welcome this fight."

A Syrian military helicopter crashed in flames under rebel fire in Damascus on Monday, and a government warplane fired rockets at targets on the capital's outskirts for what rebels said was the first time.